Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-05-20
No Apparent Bad Results from the En-
torcement Of the National
Railway Law.
[Chicaso special.1

throughout the West and Northwest. "a
there has been during the last three weeks
and is now greater activity among the
wholesale firms Of this city than is usual
at this season Of the year. The new law
acted as check and nothing more. All
through the country west of Chicago, even
to the Pacific coast, the new law is q benefit
to the Garden City, as it enables shippers
TO send goods to points they could not
cover before, as they were controlled by
the Jobbers IN the interior towns. Thus
chicago is becoming more and more the
base of supplies for the whole West and
Northwest
There was, of course, O marked fall.
ing off in the dry-goods trade during last
month as compared with March, which was
phenomenal one; but April more than
hid its own as against the same time last
year, and the outlook for late spring and
summer demand is a very satisfactory one.
A good volume of business was transacted
oil through the month by the millinery
houses. There has never been so satisfac-
tory spring season, and it is closing
earlier than usual. A good order trade is
anticipated until the hot weather sets in.
SO far there is no fault whatever to be
found with the situation. The condition
OF the wholesale grocery trade is very salts
factory, and it has been daily improving
since April 10.
There seems to be boom through the
country so far as trade is concerned, and
the heavy volume of railroad work now in
course OF construction is in great meas
ure accountable for it. The opening of
lake navigation has also given it nm i'm
petus, and, with collections good in all
branches of trade, q feeling OF satisfaction
exists that has not been known for years.
Business generally is being conducted on
conservative basis, and therein lies it's
strength. Dealers are buying in smaller
quantities and oftener, and hence thew find
it easier to pay for their goods.
| Telegraphic reports to the Chicago Trib-
une from leading trade centers in the West,
| Northwest, and Southwest are of one
tenor. They oil speak of an unparalleled
revival Of business. A dispatch from Mil
waukce says: "a stroll among Milwaukee
merchants and manufacturers will show the
prevalence Of contentment, mingled with q
due allowance of hopefulpess, regarding
the present condition Of the seasons pros
poets for business in the various branches.
Comparatively little complaint is made re-
garding the interstate commerce law, SO
faF as the matter of freights is concerned,
and it appears 10 cut little or no figure in
affecting trade.
st. Paul reports as follows: "Spring
trade has generally opened up eallier than
last year, owing to the favorable season,
and the volume of business in all depart
ments is reported to be larger than last
year. The effect of the interstate law,
which it was feared would prove serious
blow to Northwestern trade, has not been
as disastrous as expected"
Omaha: "The merchants of this city re-
port a large increase in their business over
any former year. Some of them say it will
run from 30 to 50 per cent. higher, especially
in the grocery trade. Orders have not only
| grown in numbers, but are double and
! to the interstate commerce law, which has
raised rates SO that country store keepers
who heretofore made their big purc ases
in Chicago now get everything from
Omaha. While sales are good, collections
! are also much better than usual for the
time of year"
Denver: "There is o striking unanimity
among the business men of Denver in re-
gard to their present trade, and this feel
| ing extends to an agreement among them
that they do not look for its continuance
beyond few weeks, or months at the out
side. In comparison with last year, they
estimate the increase variously from 20 to
| SO per cent, the latter in special lines.
Nearly every iobber is loud in condemning
the present railroad tariffs us adjusted from
railroad standpoint to suit the provisions
! of the interstate commerce law
Kansas City: "Unless the present indi-
cations prove misleading the year 1887 will
be marked by an unprecedented develop
ment of the commercial interests of Kansas
City. The spring trade is satisfactory, and
even more than satisfactory, as the surpris-
ing boom in business fairly takes away the
breath of the most conservative business
men. JobDers in dry goods are TO certain
extent feeling the effects of the interstate
commerce bill SO far as it relntes to long and
short huuls. They get Their goods in fairly
good time, but are compelled to pay more
freight than formerly. The increase, how
ever, is not sufficient to iniure the jobbing
business of the city,"
st. Louis: 1.-The volume of st. Louis
spring business averages. fully an increase
Of thirty per cent. over the three correspond
ing months OF last year. Merchants are al
most unanimous III their Endorsement Of the
interstate commerce law"
New Orleans: NEARLY all lines of trade
been more satisfactory this spring than for
several seasons past. The interstate COM
,nerce law has not unfavorably affected
business
Louisville: "Spring trade in Louisville
opened out with steady feeling and firm
demand for almost all classes of goods.
Except in few lines of specia.ties there
has been no complaint on account Of the
interstate commerce law"
Cleveland: "Cleveland's trade has some
bad features about it, but on the whole
there is very little drawback to the strong
feeling that has existed for several months
past. The dy-goods houses report bust
ness as better by almost one-ffth this
spring than last, and the trade of last year
was t',e best ever known. They generally
like the new law, as calculated to leave
them what they term the local trade and
prevent tie competition of New York and
Chicago houses. Collections are very
good"
Cincinnati: interviews with prominent
merchants in various branches OF business
show conflicting statements in regard to
the condi ion Of spring trade in several
lines. The dry goods men say that trade
is b tier this spring than last, but it is not
up to expeditions. This las been the bost |
s''ins he grocery m have had for Sc, eral
,''@ss. The furniture, lat and cap, and |
loot and shoe dealers all report big